feeling small
This isn't me but this picture depicts a feeling very few understand.
I found this random picture of a bicyclist riding a heavily loaded bicycle in the middle of nowhere. I don't know who or where he is but it looks like hundreds of stretches of lonely highway I have seen.
It reminds me of how special it feels to be out there on my $700 Surly bicycle with no motor or electric battery. Only my two legs, two lungs and a stubborn curiosity to see what is over the next hill and around the next turn in the road.
I have food, clothing, shelter and tools to fix my bike. I have a general idea where I'm going but right now my destinations are just points on a map. I may not have seen a car for an hour and I'm trying to put in some miles before the afternoon wind kicks up.
My body is like a machine that runs on water and calories. Food is simply fuel, flavor is optional. Water cycles through my body as a coolant and cold water is a special treat.
I ride at the edge of my aerobic limits that just plain feels healthy. Day by day my stamina has increased and my brain is so flooded with dopamine it is almost psychedelic. My senses are so overloaded that when I do interact with another human it is hard to speak.
I have spent days completely alone without uttering a single word. No need for music, podcasts or audio books, just the sounds of my breathing, the wind in my ears and the sound of my tires on the road.
Cities are interesting in a different way but the long empty deserts and forests are very dear to me. Feeling small is what I call it. Lately the road has been calling me but for now I need to be where I am.
There will be a time to ride and feel small again but I know I will eventually find my place.
